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Fáilte, Benvenuti, Welcome

Irish Business Network Italy

Welcome to the Irish Business Network Italy (IBNI), a dynamic and innovative non-profit association that fosters business opportunities, networking, and strategic partnerships between Ireland and Italy.

Whether you are an Irish company operating in Italy, an Italian entrepreneur with partners in Ireland, or a professional looking to build international relationships, IBNI is your access point to the Irish-Italian business community.

IBNI’s mission is to build a solid professional network that facilitates market entry, economic cooperation and cross-border synergies between the two countries.

Our members include professionals and companies from both nations. Today, we bring together over 100 members including 70 independent professionals and more than 10 companies active in strategic sectors such as technology, healthcare, food, artificial intelligence and finance.

Irish Business Network Italy

Welcome to the Irish Business Network Italy (IBNI), a dynamic and innovative non-profit association that fosters business opportunities, networking, and strategic partnerships between Ireland and Italy.

Whether you are an Irish company operating in Italy, an Italian entrepreneur with partners in Ireland, or a professional looking to build international relationships, IBNI is your access point to the Irish-Italian business community.

IBNI’s mission is to build a solid professional network that facilitates market entry, economic cooperation and cross-border synergies between the two countries.

Our members include professionals and companies from both nations. Today, we bring together over 100 members of which 80 independent professionals and more than 10 companies active in strategic sectors such as technology, healthcare, food, artificial intelligence and finance.

Become a member of IBNI: to connect with high-level professionals, expand your network and explore new business opportunities.

Join now and become part of the most innovative and dynamic Irish-Italian network for business. Why choose the IBNI?
• Connect with a qualified international community of professionals and companies
• Join exclusive networking events between Ireland and Italy
• Discover opportunities for business, investment and strategic partnerships
• Collaborate with key institutions such as Enterprise Ireland, Bord Bia, Tourism Ireland, and the Irish Embassy in Rome and the Consulate General in Milan

Join us

Sponsorship

Would you like to sponsor an IBNI event?
Sponsorship offers a unique opportunity to maximise the visibility of your brand within the Irish-Italian economic community.

By sponsoring one of our events you gain:

  • Premium visibility for your brand on our website and digital channels
  • Privileged access to the Irish-Italian business community
  • Positioning as a brand that supports innovation, cross-cultural exchange and international business networking

For further information

Corporate Members

Corporate Members

What the IBNI Network Offers

Become a member

01

Networking

An inclusive space for Irish and Italian professionals to build lasting business relationships.

02

Market knowledge

Insights and analysis on target markets through the expertise of qualified stakeholders and Irish government agencies.

03

Events and webinars

Access to sector-specific webinars, social events and exclusive networking sessions.

Connect with visionaries. Expand your network. Discover new opportunities.

Become a member

Orla Ralph

PRESIDENTE
Direttore di Kube Partners Italy

Manager con oltre 40 anni di esperienza, di cui 30 alla guida di filiali italiane di aziende internazionali di primo livello nei settori assicurativo, riassicurativo, dei servizi di emergenza e dei sistemi di pagamento, attualmente impegnato in soluzioni antifrode e rating di sostenibilità, con una forte passione per la comunicazione interculturale, l’etica, l’empowerment femminile e il networking.

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Alberto Rizzini

VICE PRESENIDENTE
Communication & Business Development Consultant

Ho vissuto all’estero per oltre 30 anni creando strategie ed innovando prodotti per Luxury Brand Internazionali. Tornato in Italia nel 2024, attualmente supporto le aziende Italiane ed Europee ad accelerare i processi di crescita.

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Maria Fitzpatrick

TESORIERE
Senior Program e Project Manager at Spindox SPA

Consulente IT senior con esperienza nel settore bancario e un forte interesse per l’Irlanda e il mondo del business, Maria è anche responsabile dell’Irish Club di Milano.

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Mary O'Connor

SEGRETARIO
Business Partnership Executive Tourism Ireland

Professionista irlandese esperto nel settore aziendale, con una solida esperienza nel marketing internazionale, nel turismo e nella gestione degli stakeholder, e oltre 20 anni di esperienza a livello multinazionale, supportata da titoli accademici in lingue e gestione del turismo.

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Antonia Marsaglia

ARBITRATOR
Avvocato

Antonia Marsaglia, con formazione anglo-italiana e abilitazione all’esercizio della professione forense a Milano dal 1980, dirige dal 1981 lo Studio Legale Marsaglia, specializzato nell’assistenza commerciale internazionale, con oltre 30 anni di esperienza in contrattualistica, operazioni societarie, contenzioso e arbitrato, operando in 24 Paesi grazie al network internazionale PLG da lei fondato

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John Roche

ARBITRATOR
Direttore Enterprise Ireland per l’Italia e la Grecia

Manager internazionale con esperienza in diversi contesti aziendali, specializzato in sviluppo delle risorse umane, relazioni pubbliche, comunicazione, sviluppo del business, strategie di ingresso nei mercati e finanziamento delle PMI, con un ampio bagaglio di esperienza maturato a Madrid, Stoccolma, Dublino e Milano.

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Vito Garofalo

ARBITRATOR
Business Development Advisor

Con oltre 40 anni di esperienza nello sviluppo del business internazionale, ho maturato competenze in ricerche di mercato, generazione di contatti commerciali, ricerca partner, gestione dei canali di vendita, project management ed organizzazione di eventi.

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Deirdre Doyle​

MEMBRO STEERING COMMITTEE
CEO, Property International

Sono di nazionalità irlandese, cresciuta in Tanzania e ora milanese; CEO di Property International, un’azienda immobiliare di successo a Milano specializzata nel mercato di nicchia per espatriati, banche, consolati e multinazionali, con uno staff multilingue ed esperienza pluridecennale, che punta su trasparenza, professionalità e discrezione in ogni tipo di proprietà.

LINKEDIN

Elizabeth Francis

MEMBRO STEERING COMMITTEE
Architetto


Elizabeth Francis, architetta irlandese con base a Bologna e laureata con lode all’University College Dublin, dirige Atelier Francis Srl, promuovendo progetti culturali internazionali di architettura e design, con esperienza in importanti incarichi come Commissario del Padiglione Irlanda alla Biennale di Venezia e supervisore tecnico a Expo Milano 2015, ed è attiva in associazioni per la rigenerazione urbana sostenibile e il design industriale.

LINKEDIN

Michael McDonagh

MEMBRO STEERING COMMITTEE

Architetto

Sales Manager esperto nel settore del packaging cartaceo, con competenze nella gestione clienti, sviluppo prodotti e gestione impianti, capace di creare relazioni durature e di lavorare efficacemente in team interculturali per raggiungere obiettivi comuni.

LINKEDIN

Michael McDonagh

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER
Architect

Experienced sales manager in the paper packaging industry, with expertise in client management, product development and plant operations. Skilled at building sustainable client relationships and working effectively in multicultural teams to achieve shared goals.

LINKEDIN

Elizabeth Francis

STEERING COMMITTEE MEMBER
Architect

Irish architect based in Bologna, graduated with honours from University College Dublin. Founder of Atelier Francis Srl, promoting international cultural architecture and design projects. Former Commissioner of the Ireland Pavilion at the Venice Biennale and technical supervisor at Expo Milano 2015. Active in associations dedicated to sustainable urban regeneration and industrial design.

LINKEDIN

Deirdre Doyle​

STEERIN COMMITTEE MEMEBER
CEO, Property International

Irish by nationality, raised in Tanzania and now based in Milan. CEO of Property International, a successful Milan-based real estate agency specialised in the niche market for expatriates, banks, consulates and multinationals. The company relies on a multilingual team, long-standing expertise and a commitment to transparency, professionalism and discretion.

LINKEDIN

Vito Garofalo

ARBITRATOR
Business Development Advisor

With over 40 years of experience in international business development, Vito has built expertise in market research, commercial lead generation, partner scouting, sales channel management, project management and event organization.

LINKEDIN

John Roche

ARBITRATOR
Director, Enterprise Ireland for Italy and Greece

International manager experienced across multiple corporate environments, specialised in HR development, public relations, communication, business development, market entry strategies and SME financing, with significant experience in Madrid, Stockholm, Dublin and Milan.

LINKEDIN

Antonia Marsaglia

ARBITRATOR
Lawyer

With Anglo-Italian training and active at the Bar of Milan since 1980, Antonia has led Marsaglia Law Firm since 1981, specialising in international commercial assistance. With over 30 years of experience in contracts, corporate transactions, litigation and arbitration, she operates in 24 countries through the international PLG network she founded.

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Mary O'Connor

SECRETARY
Business Partnership Executive, Tourism Ireland

Irish professional with a solid background in international marketing, tourism and stakeholder management, with over 20 years of multinational experience and academic training in languages and tourism management

LINKEDIN

Maria Fitzpatrick

TREASURER
Senior Program & Project Manager, Spindox SPA

Senior IT consultant with banking-sector experience and a strong interest in Ireland and business. Maria also serves as head of the Irish Club in Milan.

LINKEDIN

Alberto Rizzini

VICE PRESENIDENT
Communication & Business Development Consultant

Having lived abroad for over 30 years, developing strategies and innovating products for international luxury brands, returned to Italy in 2024. Currently supports Italian and European companies in accelerating their growth.

LINKEDIN

Orla Ralph

PRESIDENT
Director at Kube Partners Italy

Senior manager with over 40 years of experience, including 30 years leading Italian branches of major international companies across insurance, reinsurance, emergency services and payment systems. Currently active in anti-fraud solutions and sustainability ratings, with a strong passion for intercultural communication, ethics, female empowerment and international networking.

LINKEDIN